Catron to plead to manslaughter

A man charged with murder waived a jury trial and will plead guilty to manslaughter next week.

Aram Catron appeared in Cherokee County District Court on Thursday before District Judge Doug Kirkley for a motion hearing. He instead waived a jury trial and will plead to manslaughter. He will also be sentenced to 25 years and credited for time served.

Catron, 36, of Kansas, Oklahoma, allegedly fled law enforcement officers following a shoplifting incident at Walmart in January 2018. He is accused of driving his truck at a high speed through Tahlequah streets and plowing into another vehicle, driven by Malinda Jane Phillips, 36, Park Hill. Phillips died from her injuries.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigator Robert Francis said during the preliminary hearing that based on the evidence, Catron appeared to have been traveling at 80 mph at the time of impact. Catron was critically injured in the collision, but checked out of a Tulsa hospital before the probe was completed and charges were brought. He was later taken into custody in McDonald County, Missouri.

District Attorney Jack Thorp said the victim's husband, Scott Phillips, was present during the hearing and agreed to the plea.

"I expect he will make a victim impact statement next Thursday before sentencing," said Thorp.

The jury trial was scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sept. 16. Catron will be sentenced on Sept. 12.

PARK HILL [mdash] Funeral services for Henry Newton Sadler will be held at Green Country Funeral Home on Thursday, May 28th, 2020 at 10:00 AM with Tommy Tucker officiating. His family will have a visitation on Wednesday, May 27th, 2020 beginning at 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM at Green Country Fune…

Images

Videos

Commented

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.

Stay up to date on COVID-19

Get Breaking News

Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox.

First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.